Because there was no way Rice coach Willis Wilson could have anticipated the 2007-08 season unfolding in such a calamitous manner, the timing of his offseason decision to inject fresh perspective and youthful exuberance into his coaching staff could be viewed as fortuitous.

The energy first-year assistants Omar Mance and Brent Scott have provided during this nomadic and injury-marred season has been welcome to Wilson. Rice (3-25, 0-15 Conference USA) will conclude its most dreadful regular season in eight years today against SMU at the Merrell Center awash in the knowledge Mance and Scott are enthusiastically committed to the task of rebuilding the program.

"It's been great for me," said Scott, 36. "From the outside, I realize people wouldn't look at it that way, but for me, it's just so great to be back at Rice. It's been awesome working and learning from coach Wilson. Our record is definitely not what I wish it was, but we've had some things that have been beyond our control.

"But for me, I've been very happy. I haven't had any second thoughts."

Wilson plucked Scott from Europe, where he enjoyed a lucrative professional career after leaving Rice as its all-time leader in points and rebounds. Mance, 28, previously Rice's director of basketball operations, gained experience assisting his father Eric, a legendary high school coach in Atlanta, and serving as athletic director/coach at Joseph Sears School outside Chicago.

Rice coach Willis Wilson said his assistants will be a key part of the transition to the new Autry Court.

Rice coach Willis Wilson said his assistants will be a key part of the transition to the new Autry Court.

Photo: Bob Levey, For The Chronicle

Photo: Bob Levey, For The Chronicle

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Rice coach Willis Wilson said his assistants will be a key part of the transition to the new Autry Court.

Rice coach Willis Wilson said his assistants will be a key part of the transition to the new Autry Court.

Photo: Bob Levey, For The Chronicle

Rice assistants learn while on Owls' bumpy ride

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Both made their collegiate coaching debuts this season, and both have developed according to script.

Patience, organization

Scott has shown a remarkably patient hand at teaching the game. Mance is meticulously organized. Those skills have served them well as they match wits against staffs featuring grizzled veterans.

"We trust our basketball knowledge," Mance said. "The things behind the scenes are the things that are new and fresh for us — the recruiting trails, the logistics, the scouting reports, but within the first couple of weeks of the season, that became somewhat second nature. I wasn't intimidated. I was excited to bring youthful experience and energy to the game."

Even the Owls' current 18-game losing skid hasn't squelched the optimism of Wilson's assistants.

"It's been difficult. It's difficult when you're used to winning," Scott said. "But at the same time, I played professionally for 14 years, so I had some down years. I know what it is like. The players are going to follow what you do, so you've got to come ready to work each and every day."

Said Mance: "Our love and passion for Rice, and our loyalty and respect for coach Wilson has really pushed us through. No. 1, his heart is in making this program the best, and No. 2, we bled sweat and tears for Rice, so we want Rice to be good. If this is what it takes, this adversity, for us to get over the hump to get where we need to be, then there's no one better than Brent and I to do it because we have a personal investment in the program because we're former players."

Mance and Scott referenced how their vested interest in the program ignited their desire to help initiate a rebirth and usher in a new era when renovated Autry Court debuts in the fall. Both entered Rice on the heels of downswings: Scott arrived in 1989, two years after Rice closed 6-21; Mance transferred from LSU after the Owls' 5-22 finish in 2000.

Scott capped his career with a postseason NIT appearance in 1993, the Owls' second in three years. Mance exited following the 2002-03 season, the first of three consecutive winning campaigns. Having experienced the climb from failure to success, Mance and Scott are relishing their opportunity to show as coaches how these Owls can enjoy similar gratification.

Taking pride in legacy

"I think both of those guys look back and take a great deal of pride in the legacy that they've created here," Wilson said. "In fact, in another capacity, they want to have more success and achieve things that they didn't achieve as players, and they want that for the guys in this program.

"They came into this program when the program was down, and I think that's why the term 'vested' comes up with those guys.

"They were the reason the program turned the corner, and they put a lot of their own personal energy into this program to get it to the heights it was at when they left."